In the UK’s first win in 20 years, illustrator Laura Carlin takes the grand prix in the world’s biggest children’s books illustration awards: the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (or BIB for short) 2015 with her books The Iron Man and A World of Your Own

Laura Carlin’s illustrations for The Iron Man with words by Ted Hughes have won her The Bratislava award.
Illustration: Laura Carlin

Illustrators from 50 countries entered 2,426 published books to be considered the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava awards 2015, and today we can announce the the overall winner is UK illustrator Laura Carlin for her books The Iron Man with words by Ted Hughes (published by Walker Books) and A World of Your Own (published by Phaidon). It’s a stunning achievement and the first time a UK illustrator has won since 1995!

Some of the beautiful illustrations in Laura Carlin’s book A World of Your Own, which led to her being crowned overall winner of the Bratislava awards this year. Illustration: Laura Carlin

The international team of judges said: “Laura Carlin moves with ease, yet with great care between different moods, demonstrating both sensitivity and a sense of humour… the pages are paced to perfection”.

The best British children's illustrators in the Bratislava awards – in pictures

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Another UK illustrator received one of five much coveted Bratislava bronze plaques; Levi Pinfold for his beautiful books Greenling and Black Dog (published by Templar books).

Five ‘golden apples’ (second prizes) were awarded to international illustrators you might like to look out for: Mirocomachiko (Japan) for Yellow and I, Elena Odriozola (Spain) for Frankenstein, Xavier Zabala (Spain) for Bird in a cage, Ronald Curchod (Switzerland) for At night when I sleep and Bingchun Huang (China) for Braid.

Where the magic happens: children's illustrators open up their studios - in pictures